The Wood Cutter

The Wood Cutter

One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first
experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later
sell to the boat builders.

As they walked along, the woodcutter explained that the purpose of
each tree is contained in its natural shape: some are straight for
planks, some have the proper curves for the ribs of a boat, and some
are tall for masts.

The woodcutter told his grandson that by paying attention to the
details of each tree, and with experience in recognizing these
characteristics, someday he too might become the woodcutter of the
forest.

A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that
had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it
down because it was useless for boat building - there were no straight
limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were going the
wrong way. "We could cut it down for firewood," the grandson said. "At
least then it will be of some use to us." The woodcutter replied that
for now they should be about their work cutting the proper trees for
the boat builders; maybe later they could return to the old oak tree.

After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired
and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The
woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they
rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs.

After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his
grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of
everything in the forest and in the world. Some things are readily
apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less
apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper
curves in the limbs. And some things might initially appear to have no
purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree.

The woodcutter stated, "You must learn to pay careful attention every
day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for
everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so
quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to rest
against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

"Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be
patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover."